Off site at Windsor Hills or Fort Wilderness?

[moesy4]

We currently have a 3 bedroom townhome with a small private splash pool booked at Windsor Hills. We have a car booked and really hoping prices drop as it is crazy right now, but the rate is about $530 for a week. We snagged almost a full week at the Fort recently and would plan on renting a camper and golf cart. We have stayed at Windsor Hills in a condo (no private pool) and at the Fort in a rented camper (no golf cart) before and we loved both, although they each had their pros and cons. I have asked all my family members and no one is helping me decide For reference, my husband HATES the Disney busses and so we will avoid them whenever possible (we have 3 nights at the Dolphin booked before this which should eliminate busses for those 2 parks). We will probably be RD, return to resort/townhome, and then come back at night kind of people, definitely not all day. We don't mind driving and no about the back way to Disney property.

From what I see, the pros of staying at the Fort are the boat to MK, staying in the bubble, the fun of the golf cart and camping which my kids love, Magical Express for the way home, and possibly fun activities (although currently not much). Cons are not having access to a car (my DH is a picky eater and we will cook all our food...we will have it delivered but there are always things we forget, run out of, etc), it is a couple hundred pricier, and the lack of the private pool.

The pros of staying at WH are all the activities (my kids loved the pool table, movie theater, etc. last time we stayed), more space with 3 bedrooms, access to a car, and a full sized kitchen. The cons are having to park at the TTC for MK, losing the Disney bubble, and paying for parking. Any thing I am missing?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Since you have your pros and cons for each one and neither is really out weighing the other, price the 2 out. I personally would go with the one that I can save money on. It gives me more spending money for items to bring home. Then again I have a Disney shopping addiction

 

[Upatnoon]

The more time spent in the room and the longer the trip, the more I would lean toward a house for the comfort it represents. Plus you will have a dose of togetherness at the Dolphin.

But it sounds like either one will work for you.

 

[moesy4]

I think we are going for Windsor Hills...I forgot we have the water park upgrade so we would have to bus to any of those activities as well. Plus, Windsor Hills has so many nice other amenities like the movie theater, volleyball courts, grills, etc. We are excited to go back!

 

[shawthorne44]

What did you think of the condos at WH?

 

[moesy4]

We loved them...plenty of space, full sized washer and dryer, our building was directly over the pool and activities so it was a 1 minute walk to the pool. Nice balcony view of the sunset. We would stay there again!

 

[shawthorne44]

We loved them...plenty of space, full sized washer and dryer, our building was directly over the pool and activities so it was a 1 minute walk to the pool. Nice balcony view of the sunset. We would stay there again!

Oh, good. We might have reservations in the same building. We got first floor in the building closest to the pool. We'd had a house reserved that wasn't that much more expensive. But since it is just the three of us, I though DD would enjoy the big pool better. Most people discuss the houses at WH.

 

[kathy884]

What time of year? That would make a difference to me. If it's a hot/humid time or potentially cool night time, I would do Windsor Hills for more indoor space and comfort/hang out inside space for my family. If it's March/April (love the weather then in Orlando), I might go for Fort Wilderness, just because I love that place so much with all the activity and wouldn't mind the camper as we'd be outside most of the time anyway, not really need too much reprieve from the elements (hot or cold). These are just my preferences though and what I would choose. What you think is best for your family is obviously the way to go.

 

[smwisc]

Oh, good. We might have reservations in the same building. We got first floor in the building closest to the pool. We'd had a house reserved that wasn't that much more expensive. But since it is just the three of us, I though DD would enjoy the big pool better. Most people discuss the houses at WH.

We've stayed in WH condos twice and loved it. Plenty of space, and if you're closest to the pool you really are right there.

 

[shawthorne44]

We've stayed in WH condos twice and loved it. Plenty of space, and if you're closest to the pool you really are right there.

Thank you for saying that. We spent a bit more a night ~$20 for that one over other options. But this one was a Premier host with lots of good reviews and the first floor which seems an advantage even though there are elevators.